Thank you for Subscribing to Apac CIO Outlook Weekly Brief

Today’s global supply chains have never been more complex and difficult to manage. In fact, the traditional linear model that the term “supply chain” describes doesn’t accurately reflect that it has been replaced by a nonlinear network of multiple parties. Parties that are scattered across the globe working together to move goods from one location to another within a specific timeframe.

Hong Kong-based Gravity Supply Chain Solutions has developed a cloud-based platform that enables CIOs and IT departments to free their colleagues of linear, sequential processes, by digitizing their supply chain and logistics operations to achieve network orchestration.

Say Goodbye to Silos

The Gravity platform breaks down a supply chain’s silos by providing a single point to view and execute operational processes in real-time. It provides all the parties involved with the same real-time visibility of information by integrating existing systems and filling in the gaps where manual processes like shared spreadsheets and emails are currently being used.

Gravity enables businesses to connect with their business partners delivering both upstream and downstream visibility - from inbound material flow from suppliers, to production, international transportation, and then outbound from distribution centres to customers. This allows entire supply networks to collaborate in real time and share their data in real time - improving visibility and access to information, and automating processes.

“By capturing and sharing this data, and providing the functionality to view, understand and action, we allow the entire network to respond quickly and often ahead of any opportunities or risks to the successful execution of the supply chain,” says Darren Palfrey, Chief Operating Officer, Gravity.

Advanced Data Analytics to Mitigate Risk

The foundation of the Gravity platform is the proprietary magNET-T™ technology, which leverages unique algorithms and predictive capabilities to drive the collection and analysis of information as it streams in 24/7 from a myriad of sources not just in the supply network, but also in the world happening around the supply network.

Gravity connects to thousands of different external data points so customers can easily see the impact external factors will have on their supply chains

Gravity connects to thousands of different external data points so customers can easily see the impact external factors will have on their supply chains. These sources include shipping ports, customs authorities, carriers, EDI sources, news portals and even social media sites. Gravity makes sense of the information each of these original data sources provides, and then analyzes the im-pact to users’ supply chains, delivering immediate alerts whenever a potential disruption may occur. This provides users all the details they need to make the best decision to minimize risk.

One Platform Delivered through Modular Apps

The magNET-T technology powers the modular applications that comprise the Gravity platform.
“Apps primarily offer the ability to breakdown the silos of traditional systems within the supply chain functions such as sourcing, procurement and logistics,” says Palfrey.

There are core apps for managing upstream and downstream supply chain visibility from sourcing to customer. Apart from the core apps, Gravity also offers its Discover app for business intelligence and analytical reporting, and its Finance app to automate invoicing process across orders, invoices, inspections, quality checks and shipping.

“Taking an app-based modular approach reflects the fact that users’ needs vary. Some may have specific areas of the supply chain they wish to focus on, or existing legacy technology that serves a purpose which they don’t wish to change. By offering individual apps, business’ can pick and choose which of these deploy first, with the ability to wrap around or integrate with existing systems seamlessly, and scale up by adding apps as and when needed. No need to pay 100 percent of the cost for a platform if they’re only using 10 percent,” says Palfrey.

Gravity is working with numerous global logistics providers who are successfully delivering visibility to their customers in Asia, Australia, Africa, Europe and North America. With its real time end to end visibility platform Gravity is helping logistics providers reduce manual time consuming process, share data with their customers in real time - improving their customers’ visibility and access to information.

Looking Ahead

Moving forward the key focus for the company is connecting the ‘start’ and ‘finish’ of the supply chain by adding new functionalities to the Source and Commerce apps and broadening the use across Retail and other verticals. The goal is to deliver a seamless capability across their whole app set that allows business’ to operate a truly networked, and digitised supply chain.

“From an overall platform perspective, we continue to enhance and expand our predictive and prescriptive logistics features,” adds Palfrey. “We’re adding new data sources and delivering more actionable insight and intellect into what is going to happen within our users logistics networks, rather than what is happening.”